September 2011
1 post
A Little Sneak Peek
The wedding came and went, and it’s all a blur. I’m still waiting on photos from our photographer, and by the looks of it, he’s going to be busy right through fall so we’ll be waiting awhile. I don’t mind given how amazing he was to us!
While I have much to share, I’m still processing a lot of it and trying to savour what I can remember! I’m also enjoying...
July 2011
1 post
One Week to Go!
We’re just about a week away and I’m overwhelmed! Excitement, anxiety, stuff to do… kind of surreal to be honest. Over the last two months, I’ve been a terrible blogger. But that time was very well spent - dates with my family, lots of errands, packing up some stuff and even a bit of Stampedeing. We also managed to get our second E-Session done. The results?...
June 2011
1 post
E-Session Favourite - Part Deux
Alright, I’m late on this. I know, I know, I’m a terrible blogger. But planning a massive Indian wedding is a daunting task and it’s definitely keeping me busier than I anticipated. Busier than I thought I would be when I started this blog and pledged to be the most awesomest wedding blogger I could be - defeat accepted.
Here’s the next favourite E-Session photo from our...
May 2011
2 posts
E-Session Favourite
Our first E-Session was a blast, and we had a lot of fun teasing each other about being cheesy, and of course, hockey rivalries. Right from the start, D and I have always had hockey in common and we’re both passionate about our respective teams.
As a result, this was our favourite photo. Our photographer Azad captured the moment beautifully - I especially love how the towers in the...
3 Months To Go!
I can hardly believe it, but the wedding is just around the corner. I didn’t believe everyone when they told me how busy I’d be, and I wish they had told me how exhausting all of this would become closer to the wedding!
I’ve got a post coming up that’ll share the first set of engagement photos. We’re in the process of scheduling the next round, and I’m so...
March 2011
5 posts
An Apology and an Update
Alright, there’s no other way for me to start but by saying I’m really sorry for my long and unexplained absence! Never mind wedding planning, my real life is keeping me intensely busy and there hasn’t been much time for inspiration or progress on the wedding planning front.
We did get to see some of our E-Session photos (more to come on that). Daniel did a great job in every...
E-Session: Round 1
We had our first E-session over the weekend (one of two our photographer is giving us), and I gotta say, I wouldn’t even make the first cut of America’s Top Model! It’s so much harder than it looks! I’m have long and lanky limbs that I’ve just barely learned to carry confidently, so asking me to pose in manner appropriate for photo composition is beyond me.
I...
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Pretty Gems on a Budget
At $30 a pop for every piece, Jewel Mint was created by Kate Bosworth and Cher Coulter. While the pieces don’t exactly embody Indian bridal designs, they’ve got some pretty funky pieces that would transition well from my dresses to my Indian suits.
The pieces above are my picks - the bangle on the left is my favourite. I actually picked up something really similar in India!
I Choo Choo Choo's You
Failed Simpson’s jokes that are a month too late aside, these Jimmy Choo’s are so pretty! At $395 USD via Net-A-Porter, they’d be a perfect pairing to a white dress, and have me wishing I had picked up a blush pink lengha for my bridal trousseau just to justify buying these.
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On Trend: Sexy Lace
I’m just going to dive right into this one and say I love love love how this sari incorporates the recent lace trend from the western world of fashion.
With coverage in the right places, an appropriate length that hits just above the hip and use of a classic black lace paired with a rich silk fabric, it’s really sexy without compromising on class.
Image via bollywild: Dia Mirza at...
February 2011
11 posts
Retro Glam
I’m not much of a Bollywood buff, but I’ve been following Sonam Kapoor for her fashion sense and loving everything she puts on. She’s adorable and can pull off just about anything!
This retro inspired shoot from Filmfare Magazine reminded me of old photographs of my mom and grandma, when they were stylin’ back in the day! There’s a nostalgic sense of timelessness...
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Vancouver Decorator
For the Vancouver reception, it was tough for me to find someone while I was sitting in another province. Luckily, we had a great experience with Sweet Beginnings during my sister’s wedding. As a wedding planning and decorating franchise, they have offices all across North America. That’s how I found Nicole.
Let just start by saying, Nicole has the patience of a yogi. I came to her...
Bridal Jewellery: Finding a Balance
I love jewellery. My favourite way of wearing it is slipping on one big, statement piece and forgetting about all the rest. This complicates things when it comes to my bridal look.
My best friend says that the “less is more” philosophy goes out the window for Indian accessories. I was reluctant to believe her and was seriously considering losing just one piece, until I saw this photo...
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Yummy Cupcakes!
Planning a reception in a different city hasn’t been the easiest, so when I find amazing vendors that make the process a lot easier than it should be, the only thing I can do is share!
Anna of Anna Elizabeth Cakes in Vancouver is making us mini cupcakes for our reception, and she’s been a great help. Check out Anna’s amazing portfolio on her website. My favourites are the...
7 tags
Easy Centrepieces
As we move closer to the wedding date, I’m finding it really interesting to go back into this blog and rediscover some of my ideas and share those old links with you in new posts.Another interesting tidbit? Cheap and easy is my new mantra. What that says about me, I don’t know. But I digress.
Remember these lantern centerpieces I wanted from Pier 1 Imports? I found similar but for...
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Custom Monogram Stamps
Remember way back when I made these monograms? Well, you may have noticed that I picked the one on the right to use on our invites already, and I’m going to continue with using the monogram where I can. It’s such an easy way to personalize everything.
I contacted Love To Create Stamps via Etsy, and they made that monogram into a stamp for me to use wherever I’d like. I have a...
Flowers are HOW Much!?
I guess it’s common knowledge that flowers are supposed to be 10% of your total budget. But with a sangeet, engagement party, banquet-style lunch and a reception to consider, I’m going say that doesn’t apply to me. Even 10% of the budget for each event seems a bit steep to me.
The reception is the most formal event, so that’s where most of the floral budget is going to go....
Functional Accessories
I’m definitely a watch girl. And for me, the bolder the piece, the better. So when I found out about Tarun Tahiliani’s collaboration with Timex to create a bridal collection of watches, I couldn’t wait to check it out.
Definitely an edgy accessory to pair with your suits and saris, these watches are stunning!
Using stones and pearls set in gold, you can be sure that any one...
Another Great Launch From M.A.C.
By now, you’ve probably realized I’m M.A.C. obsessed. So when they joined forces with one of my favourite superheroes, I couldn’t help but be excited!
The M.A.C. Wonder Woman collection is fantastic! The packaging is reason enough to impulse buy, but there’s some awesome limited edition items I’ll be stocking up on.
For starters, the Wonder Woman Opulash mascara...
P90x Update
Sorry about the lack of posts, but life just gets busier and busier. And planning a wedding isn’t helping at all!
We’re about three weeks in and I gotta say, this is the best work out ever. Realistically, it was impossible for us to do P90x everyday like you’re supposed to. Instead, we just did it as often as we could and the results have been incredible.
While it’s...
Throwback Style: Seperates
For me, Indian fashion in general is defined by three things. Colours and embroidery are the obvious indicators. The third? Everything is about separates. Think about it - suits have their tops, bottoms and dupattas. Ditto for lenghas and saris. What else ya got?
Combining elements of each type of outfit and taking cues from 1960’s Bollywood style, designer J.J. Valaya brings us this...
January 2011
15 posts
Trend Alert: Belting Saris
I love saris for their peek-a-boo skin-baring sex-appeal that most of us can get away with thanks to their traditional Indian attire classification. On the other hand, they don’t always create that hour glass figure and accentuate curves the way a fitted suit or fish-cut lengha can.
I’ve seen the use of a belt around saris in some editorial shoots, like the one below.
Check out...
Hot Right Now: 2011 Colours
These are the top 10 Pantone colours for women’s Spring 2011 fashion, as chosen by designers. Pantone also announced that Honeysuckle is the “it” colour for 2011 weddings. Pretty, no?
I’ve already been seeing a lot of Honeysuckle, Peony, Lavender and Silver Cloud in spring collections. Funny enough, a few of my trousseau items are colours from this list. While that was...
The Finishing Touch: Hair Accessories
Putting the fact that this is the hottest picture ever aside, the hair accessories in Laxmi Menon’s braid are to-die-for.
Adding an embellishment to your braid, either at the nape of your neck or at the bottom of your braid, is the perfect finishing touch. It’s that mash-up of traditional edge I’ve come to love over the past few months.
On a side note, how can my skin be...
Mendhi Inspired Cupcake Tower
While the cupcake versus cake debate came to end with a compromise that gives me a mountain of cupcakes topped with cake layer to appease Daniel, we still haven’t picked a design that fits our theme. Then, I saw this photo.
With an adjustment to fit our reception colours and damask theme, I think this is pretty much perfect!
Image via hellocute.
Mood Lighting
Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of couples use coloured lighting as a way to set the mood and stay with their theme. I’ve also become accustomed to seeing their names or monogram projected onto the wall or the dance floor.
It’s definitely pretty and it personalizes the venue to fit the couple. Taking it one step further, this couple had a peacock motif projected onto the walls of...
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Fit in 90 Days?
We’re gym people. Daniel and I both really enjoy our alone time at the gym - no distractions, no headaches, no complaints… it’s our individual “alone” time. But, we both felt we needed to up our game and feel more challenged. What better time than before the wedding? It’s motivation enough!
Daniel’s solution was to start P90x together. We’re just a...
Creative Centrepieces
I gotta say, I love this idea! Along with being creative and injecting a bit of my own wine-loving persona, it’s got that pretty vintage vibe that I could easily see in an Anthropologie mail-out.
Maybe not appropriate for a formal wedding, but definitely for a bridal shower or at-home event.
What I’d change? The votives would have to be in cutesy shapes, like flowers or cupcakes....
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On Trend: Fishcut Saris
This picture pretty much sums up everything a modern sari should be - fishcut saris create an updated silhoutte and maintain the sexy cover-me-up mysteriousness a sari creates.
I found fish-cut saris across boutiques in India, and trust me when I say they’re amazing. Ladies with curves look best in them, but that’s not my favourite part.
They’re the easiest thing in the world...
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50% Off Embroidered Shoes + Clutches
I ventured over to the Kadam Shoes website to order some of the clutches and shoes I wanted to match some of the suits I’ve got, and found that most of their stock is 50% off! Along with a few other goodies, here’s what I picked up:
Pretty, no? Head on over to their website and have a looksy. As for the shoe posts, guess I’m just on a shoe binge… love ‘em!
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The Invites: Matching His and Hers
As mentioned in my post about wedding shopping in India, our invitations are from Chadha Cards in Jalandhar.
If you previously recall, I really wanted to hit Verma Packers in Ludhiana for our invites – I knew the cards were gorgeous and it was a no-fuss no-muss situation. But in true Indian style, someone had recommended Chadha Cards in Jalandhar to my parents and the fate of our invitations...
Perfect Wedding Day Flats
Is there anything Oprah and her team can’t do? I mean, they found me these amazing flats I want, need-to-have, will-die-without-them for my wedding day.
I’ve mentioned before that at 5”8, I’m pretty much a giant in comparison to the rest of our wedding party and most of our guest list, so heels aren’t an option. These flats are perfect since the satiny fabric and...
M.A.C. Make-up Made for Brown Skin
The latest offerings from M.A.C. are essentially MADE for Indian women.
First, Peacocky is a collection of neutral shimmery shadows great for a base and highlighting, finished with shades of purples, blues and greens vibrant enough to match everything in your sari closet. The Kissable Lipcolour is moisturizing and long-wearing and the spectrum of neutral to wine-coloured offerings with blueish...
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Wedding Shopping in Punjab
Over the holidays, I had tons of e-mails in my inbox asking me to post this already - here it is!
Disclaimer: this list is just a start – I visited a lot more shops than what’s listed below, but these were my favourites. If you’ve got recommendations, drop me a line or comment below and I’ll definitely add it to this post. Hope this helps!
Amritsar
Mochi Shoes This place was heaven! I found...
December 2010
7 posts
Perfect Wedding Day Makeup
Lots of black eyeliner to accent the almond-shaped eyes? Check. Perfect shading and blending to compliment the shape and colour of the eyes? Yup. Contoured cheekbones for a perfect lift and glow? Uh huh. Modern and absolutely not matchy? Yessir.
Down to the neutral lips, Kareena Kapoor’s make-up is perfect for what I’d like my wedding day makeup to look like. It’s glam and...
Another Creative Guestbook Idea
When I saw this idea for a guest book, I was nursing a Christmas party red wine induced headache. Needless to say, I heart red wine. Needless to say, having my guests sign a bottle of wine for me at my wedding would be so me.
But this wedding is ours. So, where does that leave me? Still looking for an idea that’s very us.
Image via fuckyeahweddingideas: Wedding Chicks Wedding Blog
The Lengha Search
I’m going to start the week by jumping in - here’s a post about the best part of my trip - my wedding lengha!
To make the most of my time in India, I was planning on buying my wedding lengha the first day we hit the shops. One week into shopping, I still hadn’t found anything that was the one. My weary family and frustrated shop-owners had me convinced that what I wanted just didn’t...
Minimalism Works
If I could put my wedding style description into a single image, this would be it. It’s traditional in every sense of the word, but there’s an unmistakable sense of femininity that comes along with dainty simplicity.
Happy weekend - meet you back here next week with some more wedding shopping talk!
Image via Nerdball
My Favourite Time of the Year - Holiday Sales!
I don’t know about you, but while shopping for Christmas gifts, I keep buying myself stuff! What can I say? I’ve got a soft spot for great finds that are on sale. Another way to spoil myself? Crossover Bollywood Sé is starting their Boxing Day sale a few weeks in advance!
Aaaaand in case my family and friends need me to drop some not-so-subtle hints (and even if they don’t),...
What's "In" Right Now
As you may or may not know, what’s offered in boutiques across India doesn’t necessarily reflect what’s happening in the world of Indian high-fashion. In 2010, a lot of designers play with prints and textures, with a lot of deep jewel toned hues in suits, saris and lenghas.
Surprisingly, boutiques outside designer circles seem caught up with what’s current, but are still...
Back From India!
I’ve been back an entire week and I’m still catching up on sleep, work, family and gossip! And now that I’m back, I’ll have TONS to share with you about the experience of wedding shopping in India. Here are some highlights to start with!
Over the past few weeks, I became very me-centric. I think I’ve been fairly aware of the fact that this wedding is about BOTH Daniel and I, as well as our...
November 2010
3 posts
Just Sayin' Hi, All the Way from India
I’ve been here one week, and as always, I’m having a great time. We arrived the day of Diwali, and while celebrating was AWESOME (lighting fireworks for a home-made, front row seat? Uh, yes please!), getting shopping started was off to a slow start thanks to the few days of holidays here.
I’m on day five of being here, and day three of shopping. I’m happy to report, I...
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India Wedding Shopping: Nilibar
Sorry about the non-post yesterday and the late post today… I’ve been insanely busy the last few days!
The is trip here! I’m leaving for India today and for the next four weeks, I’ll be getting my shop on!
One shop I’m looking forward to? Nilibar in Ludhiana. I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews about the store, and while I don’t have high hopes for it...
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October 2010
20 posts
Ruffle Obsessed
While I love eclectic and funky, I’m definitely a girly-girl at heart - my allegiance to all things pink makes that pretty evident. And now, my love for ruffles.
As soon as I saw those sky-high Balenciaga shoes, I thought of how I had seen this Flamenco Shower Curtain from Anthropolgie used in weddings.
Picture it: a simple cream coloured capri suit with a tinge of blue-green accents,...
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The Make-Up Debacle
After tons of trials and feeling really uneasy about my inability to find a local make-up artist, I’m considering totally selling out and defying the point of this blog (started in part to find and share local vendors!) by booking with someone from Vancouver.
The way I see it, I’ve wasted enough of my time, energy and money on trying to find someone locally. And if I’m feeling...
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Guestbook of Wit and Wisdom
I think about all of the hilariously awesome things our friends have said to us over the years, and I can’t help but think this Wit and Wisdom guest-scrapbook would be a hit. And I’d have it all in writing!
While a guestbook is traditionally signed at the beginning of an event, I’d leave this out all evening just to see what our friends come up with after a few trips to the...